Thread-cabinet.



No. 856,945. PATENTED JUNE 1l, 1907.

C. E. DOVE.

THREAD CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.26.1907.

@9i/wane:

l a QN l( W; @Umweg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THREAD-CABINET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed February Z6, 1907. Serial No. 359,392.

.T0 all wir/0117, 'it muy concern,.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. Dovn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dovesville, in the county of Rockingham and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Thread-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cabinets for containing spools of thread and exposing the same for sale in a convenient and attractive manner, and it has for `its object to simplify and improve the construction and operation of this class of devices.

Vith these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

' In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention; it being, however, understood that no limitations is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and niodiiications within the scope of the invention may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a iront elevation of a cabinet constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view enlarged, taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view enlarged, of one of the keys whereby the spools are discharged from the case or cabinet. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one of the keys.

` Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The casing A of the improved cabinet is composed of a base B and a body C, which latter is longitudinally divided by a vertically disposed partition 1 into separate front and rear compartments. 2 and 3, the former of which has a glass front 4 through which the contents is plainly visible. Said compartments are also divided by vertically disposed partitions 5 into sub-compartments kG, as will be best seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The front of the casing is provided adjacent to the lower end of each sub-compartment with an escutcheon 7 having a keyhole slot S through which extends a pin 9 having a knob or handle 10 and a lug 1 1 which, when the pin is inserted tluough one of the keyhole slots and partly rotated upon its axis, prevents its withdrawal. The pins 9 are for the purpose of supporting the stacks of spools 12 which are placed in the slib-coinpartment, as will be best seen in Fig. 2. Secured upon the back of the casing, within the rear compartiment 3 and extending in a downward and forward direction is an inclii'ied flange 13; and upon the lower edge of the partition 1, adj acent .to each sub-compartment is hingedly supported a [lap 1-/1 which is adapted to swingl forwardly into the lower ends of the sub-compartment in the front part of the case, as has been shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

15 designates a pivotal rod or shaft that extends longitudinally through the base B, the entire length of the casing, and upon said rod, below each sub-compartn'ient in the front part of the casing, there is pivoted a lever 16 the forward end of which is moved in an upward direction by the action of a suitably arranged spring 17 each lever is provided with a forward extending stem or shank 1S that projects through a slot 19 in the front part of the base, and carries a thumb piece or key 20 whereby it may be conveniently pressed against the tension of the spring 17. Each key has printed upon the upper face thereof a number correspond ing with the number of the thread upon the spools contained .in the compartment corresponding with said key. The upper surface of the lever 16 is shaped to form a recess or pocket 21. The upper edge of the slot 19, by engaging the stein or shank 18, serves to limit the upward movement of the front end of the lever 16 under the tension of the actuating spring 17.

The top of the casing has a suitable lid 22 through which the compartments may be replenished.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood. Spools containing thread of various colors and different numbers will be placed in the subcompartments of the case or cabinet, the corresponding front and rear sub-eoinpartments being lilled with spools containing the same kind of thread. The spools in the front subcompartments will be supported by the pin IOO IIO

9, and under the pressure of the spools con tained in the rear sub-compartments the flaps 14 which swing in a forward direction, as seen in Fig. 2, and the lowermost spool from the rear sub-compartment will be supported in the recess or pocket 21 of the lever 16 disposed adjacent to said sub-comparte ment. By pressing the key 20, the lever will be tilted and the spool will be thrown in an upward and forward direction and be disc arged through an-aperture 23 in the front part of the base, the lower end of the rear sub compartment being meanwhile obstructed by the arcuate rear end of the lever which is suitably'shaped to accomplish this purpose. When the key is released, the lever will be restoredby the action ofthe spring 17 to its normal position, and another spool will pass into the recess or pocket 21. The spools contained in the front subecoinpartments will not be distributed until the supply in the rear sub-com artments has been exhausted, and the display will thus remain unbroken for the longest possible period. When it beoomes necessary to use the spools contained in one of the front sub-com artments, the pin 9 connected with such su -compartment is to be withdrawn, thus permitting the spools to gravitate to the recess or pocket 21 of the lever 16. y

This improved display cabinet is simple in construction, and attractive in appearance; and by the use thereof the display may be maintained in a perfect and unbroken condition for the longest possible period.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a device of the class described, a casing comprising a base and a body, the latter being divided vertically into a plurality of front and rear sub-comp artments, an inclined flange disposed adjacent to the lower ends of the rear sub-compartments, iiaps hinged adjacent to the lower ends of the sub-compartments andco-operating with the flange to form closures for the lower ends of the rear sub-compartments, supporting members disposed to obstruct the lower ends of the front sub-compartments, and spring actuated levers supported adjacent to the lower ends of the front sub-compartments and having o erating stems extending through a slot in t e casing.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing having front and rear sub-compartments, an inclined flange disposed adjacent to the rear sub-compartment, a iiap hingedly su ported intermediate the lower ends of t e sub-compartments, a spring actuated lever supported below the sub-compartments and having a recess or pocket in its upper side, and means for temporarily obstructing the lower end of the front sub-compartment.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. DOVE.

Witnesses: i

SAMUEL A, CEIDEE, CASPER DovE. 

